Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban in KwaZulu-Natal is a modern city of 4.5 million people, stretching from the Umhlanga Rocks to the Aliwal Shoal in the South. Durban has a fantastic mix of people from Zulus and Afrikaners to Europeans and the largest Indian population outside of the Indian subcontinent, resulting in an eclectic mix of cultures, architectural styles and cuisines. Top places to visit in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, include the Golden Mile Beach, Victoria Market and the Umlazi Township.

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban is a vibrant modern city of 4.5 million people, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and the second largest in South Africa after Jo’burg.

It stretches from the Umhlanga Rocks district in the north to the Aliwal Shoal in the south and stretches ten kms inland to the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The city is still growing fast and its port is one of the ten largest in the world.

Durban’s beautiful, sandy beaches offer safe swimming in temperate waters and sub-tropical weather with sunshine guaranteed virtually all year round. In recent years the beachfront has been extensively restored with clean streets leading into the heart of the city, reliable and regular public transport, high quality shopping malls, theatre and entertainment.

The city’s cosmopolitan population is made of Zulus - the largest African contingent - Afrikaners, Portuguese, Italian, Greek and Germans. It is also home to the largest Indian population outside the Indian subcontinent.

This has led to an eclectic fusion of cultures and architectural styles blending skyscrapers with traditional rickshaws, bunny chows and Indian markets.

Durban and its suburbs are hilly, with very few flat areas. The city has a wide spread of architectural influences from the neo-Baroque City Hall, the golden-domed Jumma Musjid mosque in Grey Street, art deco buildings along the sea-front, Victorian townhouses and glass-fronted modern skyscrapers. The Edwardian City Hall built in 1910 is modelled on the city hall in Belfast and houses the Natural Science Museum, the main library and the Durban Art Gallery. Nearby is Durban’s old railway station, now known as Tourist Junction, from where tours of the city depart.

Mark Mgobhozi, Durban
"Durban is a tropical city with beautiful beaches that are very safe and family-friendly."

Top Attractions:Golden Mile - Looking out over the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean, Durban’s ‘Golden Mile’ (actually 6kms) stretches along the beachfront punctuated by activity parks, pools, fountains, walkways, gardens and market stalls.

South Beach, on the Golden Mile, is ideal for swimming, especially for children as it is protected from wind and waves by a breakwater. All of Durban’s beaches are shark-netted.

uShaka Marine World - The largest marine theme park in Africa, uShaka Marine World boasts the fifth largest aquarium in the world which includes the re-creation of the wreck of a 1940's cargo ship and is also home to its trademark Shark Restaurant with a window into a shark tank. The park also houses a 1,200-seat dolphin stadium, a penguin rookery, a seal stadium, interactive activities in the shark tank, a snorkel lagoon and Wet ‘n Wild rides that include the highest slide in Africa. It also incorporates the research facilities of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI).

Victoria Market - The city’s distinctive Asian atmosphere is most evident in the bustling Victoria Market, first opened in the 1870s. Its exotic mix of saris, food and spices, incense and Indian music mixed with African curios are sold from more than 170 stalls with a fish market in the basement.

Umhlanga Rocks - Umhlanga, the buzzing residential, commercial and resort suburb in north Durban, developed originally from a nearby seaside town and its wide, sandy beaches are now lined with exclusive hotels and apartment blocks.

The area is distinctive for its famous lighthouse while its Gateway Shopping Centre is one of the biggest shopping malls in the country.

Umlazi Township - South Africa’s second largest township after Soweto has a population of more than 750,000 and is developing fast with investment in schools, infrastructure and housing. Visitors to Durban can enjoy guided tours of the area and Umlazi has accommodation ranging from b&b to guesthouses as well as top class restaurants and typical township cuisine.

Climate:
Durban has a subtropical climate with sunshine for at least 320 days a year. Temperatures range between 16°C and 25°C during the winter months of June, July and August but can reach 32°C with high humidity during the summer.